BFF sets practice matches

Bangladesh Football Federation finally arranged three practice matches for the national football team on foreign soil after Destiny Group came forward to sponsor the team for the SAFF Championship to be held in New Delhi from December 2 to 11.
The BFF and Destiny Group signed an agreement in this regard yesterday at the BFF House with the sponsors providing Tk 20 lakh for the arrangement of practice matches as well as participation in the regional meet.
Coach Nikola Ilievski sought a couple of practice matches against strong sides abroad and the game's governing body was waiting for a sponsor. Their wait is over through Destiny Group's first association with the BFF.
The football federation revealed their practice matches schedule that included one match each against a Malaysian Premier League team, a team of the second tier of I-League and against an I-League team in Kolkata.
The national team will leave for Malaysia on Saturday to play against the two-time Malaysian Premier League champions Negeri Sembilian on the same day.
Afterwards the booters will return home on Friday and is expected to play a practice match against Bangladesh League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on November 24.
The next day, the national team will fly for Kolkata to play against the Southern Samity Club on November 26 and then face India Arrows on November 28 before heading for New Delhi for the tournament proper.
“I thank the BFF to give us such an opportunity and we came forward under our corporate social responsibility. We are looking forward to be associated with the BFF if we get such proposal from the football federation,” said Destiny Group chairman Rafiqul Amin.
“It is a proud moment for both of us and involvement of Destiny Group proved that football is going in the right direction and we hope big companies will come forward to sponsor football in future,” said BFF president Kazi Salahuddin.
BFF vice-presidents Badal Roy, Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir, Destiny Group general manager Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, coach Nikola, captain Mohamamd Sujan, vice captain Ariful Islam were among others present during the signing ceremony.
Meanwhile, the BFF also declared the names of team officials with Harun ur Rashid being appointed team leader and former national footballer Arif Khan Joy as manager.